Best Things to Do in Da Lat, Vietnam With Kids! (Copy)
🏞️ Mountains, Adventure & Fresh Air
If you’re travelling Vietnam with kids and craving fresh air, pine forests and proper outdoor adventure — Da Lat might just steal your heart like it did mine.
Out of everywhere we visited in Vietnam, Da Lat was my favourite. After coastal cities, traffic and heat, arriving into cool mountain air and rolling green hills felt like a reset button. There were pine forests, lakes, flower gardens and space to breathe — and as a family who loves the outdoors, it suited us perfectly.
It’s often called the “City of Eternal Spring,” and sitting at around 1,500 metres above sea level, it enjoys a spring-like temperature of roughly 20–24°C year-round. After Southeast Asia heat, it was dreamy.
If you’re searching for the best things to do in Da Lat with kids, here’s exactly what we loved.
Greenline Luge – Yes, We Travelled for This
Believe it or not, one of the reasons we travelled all the way down Vietnam was for the Greenline Luge.
It’s a gravity-powered luge where you ride a three-wheeled cart downhill through forest tracks, controlling your own speed. It’s easy to use, safe, and genuinely good fun for both adults and kids.
Prices were roughly:
150,000–200,000 VND per ride
Multi-ride passes available for better value
Joe loved it most because there’s potential for minor chaos and near-collisions (why are men like this? 😂). He said that was part of the thrill. Watch here for more!
Alpine Coaster – Our Personal Favourite
While Joe preferred the luge, Tilly and I actually preferred the Alpine Coaster.
It’s like a mini rollercoaster winding through pine trees. You still control your speed, but it felt faster and more adrenaline-fuelled. It’s one of those rides where you get off and immediately want to go again.
If you’re visiting Da Lat with teens, this is a must.
Tuyen Lam Lake – Our Favourite Budget Day
Tuyen Lam Lake was our absolute favourite place to relax.
There are lakeside cafés, ice creams, little stalls and even swan boats you can hire — but our favourite part? It was free.
We set up our hammocks between pine trees, read books, snoozed and just enjoyed the view. No entrance fee. No schedule. Just a peaceful day outdoors.
When you’re travelling long-term as a family, these slower days are essential — both for your budget and your mental health.
Strawberry Picking – Simple & Sweet
Da Lat is famous for strawberries. If you’re there during the season, definitely try visiting a local farm.
We found one near the Alpine Coaster and picked fresh strawberries straight from the plant before treating ourselves to strawberry smoothies.
It was cheap, easy and a lovely activity with kids — especially younger ones who enjoy hands-on experiences.
Hiking Langbiang Mountain
One of the things Joe and I have missed most since leaving the UK is hiking. Southeast Asia is incredible, but between the heat and limited marked trails, proper hiking hasn’t been as accessible.
Da Lat changed that.
We hiked Langbiang Mountain, which took around four hours in total. The final stretch was steep — properly steep — but the views from the top made every step worth it.
Reaching the summit felt incredibly satisfying. It reminded us we’re still strong, capable and fit, even after a year of travel and street food.
If your family enjoys hiking, Da Lat is one of the best mountain destinations in Vietnam.
Flower Gardens & Happy Hill Coffee
Da Lat is known as Vietnam’s flower capital, and you’ll see blooms everywhere.
We visited Happy Hill Coffee, which overlooks Tuyen Lam Lake. Entrance was around 50,000 VND per person and gives access to landscaped flower gardens and viewpoints.
It’s beautiful, calm and great for photos — especially if you’re travelling with teens who love a good backdrop.
Other Family-Friendly Attractions in Da Lat
If you have more time, there’s plenty more to explore:
Crazy House (Hang Nga Guesthouse) – A surreal, fairytale-style building kids love exploring.
Dalat Cable Car – Offers panoramic views over pine forests and lakes at a reasonable price.
Trickland 3D Museum – Fun for younger kids and rainy days.
Dalat Wonder Resort & colourful theme-style attractions – Great for playful photo spots.
Da Lat offers more affordable family activities compared to many other tourist-heavy areas in Vietnam.
Honest Accommodation Review
We stayed in a very basic hostel (Lucina Boutique Hostel).
I’ll be honest — it wasn’t glamorous. It was slightly dirty and very simple. Not somewhere I’d recommend unless you’re comfortable with ultra-budget accommodation.
However, we paid around £5 per night for a hobbit-hole-style room with a bathroom.
That’s officially the cheapest stay of our world travels so far.
Practical Tips for Travelling Da Lat With Kids
A few things we learned:
• Bring sanitary wipes — cleanliness varies.
• Be selective about where you eat.
• Use the Grab app for cheap and easy taxis.
• Scooters are affordable but roads are chaotic — only hire if confident.
• Carry cash — many places don’t accept cards.
• Use Google Translate — language barriers can be challenging.
• We used Viettel SIM cards locally but always keep a backup eSIM for navigation we use Saily Esims use code JOESAILY for 5% off, banking and translation.
Why Da Lat Is Great for Families
Da Lat genuinely stands out.
Cooler temperatures, outdoor activities, adventure parks, lakes, hiking, creative attractions — and enough adrenaline to keep older kids interested too.
It’s green, spacious and refreshing. Da Lat reminded us why we love traveling.
Fresh air. Mountain views. A little adrenaline.
And yes… maybe a few competitive luge moments along the way!
After Da Lat, we headed to Quy Nhon, a quieter coastal town halfway between Da Lat and Hoi An — and it surprised us in a completely different way.
👉 Click here to read about our time in Quy Nhon.
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